Axel Piper

Scotland’s newly installed First Minister John Swinney has announced plans to fast-track his Programme for Government, moving the annual policy blueprint forward by four months in a bid to respond to what he called “undoubted economic challenges” looming over the nation. The SNP leader confirmed the government’s legislative and policy priorities will now be unveiled on May 6, replacing the traditional post-recess reveal in September. The move, Swinney said, is designed to offer “a full year of delivery” before the 2026 Holyrood elections. ‘Economic Straitjacket’ and a Year of Risk Speaking from Bute House, Swinney warned of a cocktail of…

When Sir Ian Wood transformed a family-run boat repair business in Aberdeen into a global engineering force, few would have predicted that five decades later, the company would be sold for a fraction of its former value — to a Dubai-based conglomerate. But that’s exactly where things stand today. The board of John Wood Group plc, once valued at over £5 billion and a flagship of Scotland’s industrial prowess, is now recommending a £242 million takeover offer from Sidara, a firm headquartered in the United Arab Emirates. Alongside the bid comes a promised £340 million capital injection. The two companies…

A sea of bright colours flowed into Daldowie Crematorium on Friday as friends, family, and colleagues gathered to say goodbye to Scottish Government minister Christina McKelvie. The 57-year-old SNP MSP, who died in March after a long illness, was remembered not just as a politician — but as a campaigner, a mother, a partner, and a woman deeply loved by her community. Her coffin, draped in a Saltire, was carried by her partner and SNP depute leader Keith Brown, who told mourners: “Christina was loved — not just by us, but by the public. That’s rare. Maybe unique.” “Human rights…

From golden mornings in Aberdeenshire to glowing sunsets in Wester Ross, Scotland’s natural beauty was out in full force last week — and locals didn’t miss the chance to capture it. The BBC’s latest reader-submitted gallery paints a vivid portrait of spring across the country, showcasing everything from daffodils and deer to pink-tinted lighthouses and mirror-like lochs. The photos, submitted between April 4 and April 11, show not just stunning landscapes, but also the emotional connection Scots have with their changing seasons — and with their surroundings. Wester Ross in Bloom Diane West from Burntisland caught one of those timeless…

A tiny lamb with a wobbly gait and a bent neck has captured hearts across the internet, becoming an unexpected social media darling from one of Scotland’s most remote islands. Nicknamed Wonky, the lamb was born on the Isle of Tiree earlier this spring, appearing fragile and uncertain on her feet — but now she’s thriving, both in the field and online. Bent, But Not Broken Wonky’s unusual condition is believed to have been caused by being squashed in the womb by her larger twin brother, leaving her with a crooked neck and an unsteady walk. Rhoda Meek, who runs…

The Lahore skies had other plans on Friday as rain and rumbling clouds pushed the Pakistan vs Scotland ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier clash into an anxious, unwanted delay. What was meant to be a crisp 10:00 AM IST start at the historic Lahore City Cricket Association Ground turned into a waiting game, with both teams stuck indoors while the grounds crew kept their eyes glued to the radar and covers firmly on the pitch. Wet Skies, Dry Patience: Toss Yet to Take Place The toss, originally scheduled for half an hour before the start, never happened. Thunderstorms swept through…

Volunteering across Scotland is collapsing at a pace few predicted. A new report puts the scale of the problem into stark perspective, with hundreds of thousands stepping back — or never stepping forward — to help. A warning from Volunteer Scotland says the country is in the midst of a volunteering crisis, one that's stretching the third sector to its limits. People are burned out, skint, and simply out of time. Formal volunteering numbers plummet across the country In just one year — between 2022 and 2023 — formal volunteering dropped by four percentage points. Doesn’t sound like much? That’s…

CARDIFF – Wales has recorded the slowest recovery in bus usage anywhere in Great Britain since the Covid-19 pandemic, with new data showing passenger numbers are still more than 20% below pre-2020 levels. A Senedd climate change committee report published this week found that in the 12 months to March 2024, Welsh bus ridership stood at 78.3% of March 2020 levels. That compares unfavourably with England (89.5%), Scotland (92.5%), and Great Britain overall (89.5%). The slump has been attributed primarily to a sharp drop in older people using concessionary bus passes, with some opting for online services over public transport.…

EDINBURGH – Patients in Scotland suffering from a rare and debilitating autoimmune liver disease will soon have access to the first new treatment in nearly ten years, as Ipsen’s Iqirvo (elafibranor) has been accepted for use by NHS Scotland, the pharmaceutical company confirmed Monday. The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) approved Iqirvo for use in primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), a rare, chronic liver condition that can lead to liver failure if left inadequately treated. The green light comes after strong results in clinical trials and marks a key milestone for Ipsen’s expanding rare disease portfolio. Targeting a gap in care Iqirvo,…

Union members across Scotland’s councils are preparing to walk out after rejecting a 3% pay offer, with ballots showing overwhelming support for strike action if no improved deal is put on the table. The stage is now set for a major standoff between local authority workers and employers as discontent brews over what unions describe as years of pay erosion and disregard for the public sector’s lowest-paid staff. More Than Just a Pay Dispute This isn’t just about percentages. It’s personal now. Local government workers say they’re fed up watching their pay fall further behind as costs rise and recognition…